take effect

idiomatic phrase

1

: to become operative

The new regulations will take effect next year.

2

: to begin producing an expected or intended effect or result

waiting for the drug to take effect

Examples of take effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Under the ceasefire framework that took effect in October, Israeli forces continue to control the corridor between the crossing and the areas where most Palestinians live. —Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026

The moratorium takes effect immediately while the City Planning Commission starts a review process and makes recommendations on zoning uses for data centers. —Aliana Mediratta, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026

The only amendment approved Thursday was a Democratic proposal to make the bill prohibiting local-federal agreements an emergency measure that would take effect as soon as it was signed into law. —William J. Ford, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2026

The requirements take effect Sunday in other states, including Illinois and Ohio. —Geoff Mulvihill, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for take effect

• aftereffect
• interconnect
• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct